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So, I'm going to have to say Sam is the real hero here. I do give the utmost of credit to Frodo though, naturally. I just think Sam was more vital in the end.
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Perhaps the equation of "hero" with the essential nature of what the character does is a bit of an exercise in futility. For what would have become of our Fellowship had not the "small stones" come to Fangorn; if Gandalf the Grey had not fallen to rise again as Gandalf the White, if Eowyn of Rohan had not secretly ridden to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, if Faramir had not shown extraordinary insight and restraint at Henneth Annun. Frodo and Samwise had a host of supporting characters woven each into their essential roles. If one had been misplaced, perhaps Frodo and Sam together would not have prospered. I think Tolkien rates Samwise the "Real" Hero, while Frodo is the "mythical" Hero, Aragorn yet another type of Hero (I don't have references to hand--it has been so long since I read them they are in BOXES.)
I found an old (archived) thread from 2003 that addresses Samwise as Hero:
http://forum.barrowdowns.com/archive...php/t-834.html I think I mentioned the merit of examining the heroic role of Lobelia Sackville-Baggins in that one...
